A Multidimensional Structure for Repetitive Thought: What's on Your Mind, and How, and How Much?
- 1 January 2003
- journal article
- Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Vol. 85 (5), 909-921
- https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.5.909
Abstract
Although repetitive thought (RT) styles such as worry, rumination, and processing correlate positively, they have divergent effects on well-being, suggesting important dimensional variation. In Study 1, multidimensional scaling identified 2 dimensions--positive versus negative content valence and searching versus solving purpose--among students (N=978) who completed standard RT measures. In Study 2, students (N=100) sorted 25 descriptions of RT. Multidimensional scaling identified 4 dimensions, including valence and purpose. Content valence associated with valenced affect; solving associated with less aroused affect and less polarized appraisals of thought topics. In Study 3, valence and purpose of RT descriptions by women in a breast cancer prevention trial (N=62) predicted concurrent affect and psychological and physical well-being.Keywords
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